Settlement device and settlement method

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, there is provided a settlement device and a settlement method capable of changing, according to a medium to be output, a degree of anonymization of an identification number related to electronic settlement. The settlement device includes: a reception unit configured to receive input of an identification number related to electronic settlement; a settlement unit configured to execute settlement processing for a transaction using the electronic settlement; and an output unit configured to generate, when the settlement processing is completed, based on setting information in which an unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set for each type of medium to be output, the identification number having the unidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium, and to output the generated identification number together with information based on the transaction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2022-187821, filed on Nov. 24, 2022, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a settlement device anda settlement method.

BACKGROUND

When a transaction (commercial transaction) is made in a store such as aretail store, various media such as a receipt and a journal showingdetails of the transaction are output. When electronic settlement suchas electronic money settlement or credit settlement is used as asettlement method for the transaction, an identification number such asa membership number or a credit card number of a customer related to theelectronic settlement is output to the various media such as a receipt.

The identification number related to the electronic settlement describedabove is preferably to be anonymized from a viewpoint of security.Therefore, in the related art, a part of the identification number ismasked before the receipt is output.

However, depending on a medium to be output, a degree of anonymizationmay differ due to a difference in use, purpose, or the like. Forexample, since a receipt given to a customer may be discarded in a statein which the receipt is available to a third party, a degree ofanonymization is preferably strengthened compared to a medium output fora store or an electronic settlement trader.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a configurationof a POS system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of asales data processing device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration ofmasking range setting information;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration ofthe sales data processing device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a medium outputby an output control unit;

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a medium;

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a medium;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen provided by amasking range setting unit; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to outputof a medium executed by the sales data processing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided a settlementdevice and a settlement method capable of changing, according to amedium to be output, a degree of anonymization of an identificationnumber related to electronic settlement.

According to one embodiment, a settlement device includes a receptionunit, a settlement unit, and an output unit. The reception unit receivesinput of an identification number related to electronic settlement. Thesettlement unit executes settlement processing for a transaction usingthe electronic settlement. When the settlement processing is completed,the output unit generates, based on setting information in which anunidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set foreach type of medium to be output, the identification number having theunidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium, and outputsthe generated identification number together with information based onthe transaction.

Hereinafter, a settlement device and a settlement method according to anembodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Thedisclosure is not limited to the embodiment described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a configurationof a POS system according to the embodiment. A POS system 1 according tothe embodiment is applied to a store such as a supermarket that sellscommodities. The POS system 1 includes a portable terminal 2, a serverdevice 3, and a sales data processing device 4. In the store, the serverdevice 3 and the sales data processing device 4 are connected to anetwork N via a communication device such as a router. The portableterminal 2 may be connectable to the network N.

The portable terminal 2 is a portable terminal device used by a customer(hereinafter also referred to as a user) who visits the store. Theportable terminal 2 may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or atablet terminal carried by the user.

The portable terminal 2 has an electronic settlement function for payinga price of a commodity by electronic settlement using the portableterminal 2. Specifically, the portable terminal 2 includes a non-contactIC such as near field communication (NFC) or radio frequencyidentification (RFID), and performs electronic settlement by wirelesslycommunicating information on settlement. Here, the information onelectronic settlement includes a unique identification number related tothe electronic settlement issued for each user. The identificationnumber includes a plurality of digits. The identification number may be,for example, a user ID for identifying a user, which is issued by anelectronic settlement trader, or a transaction number for identifying atransaction related to the electronic settlement. In the followingdescription, the identification number is assumed to be the user ID foridentifying the user.

The electronic settlement function of the portable terminal 2 is notlimited to using the non-contact IC. For example, the portable terminal2 may perform electronic settlement (so-called code settlement) bydisplaying, on a display unit provided in the portable terminal 2, acode symbol (bar code or two-dimensional code) including information onsettlement, and having the code symbol read by a bar code reader, acamera, or the like. For example, the portable terminal 2 may performcode settlement by reading, with a camera provided in the portableterminal 2, a two-dimensional code for payment posted near the salesdata processing device 4. In this case, the information on settlementsuch as the identification number is notified to the sales dataprocessing device 4 via the electronic settlement trader or the like.

The portable terminal 2 may function as a registration device byexecuting an application program introduced in advance. In this case,the portable terminal 2 reads a commodity code for identifying acommodity from a code symbol such as a bar code attached to thecommodity through the camera provided in the own terminal. The portableterminal 2 transmits the read commodity code to the server device 3.Then, the portable terminal 2 generates a code symbol including atransaction number for identifying the transaction according to anoperation of the user, and displays the code symbol on the display unitprovided in the own terminal.

The server device 3 is a server device such as a store server. Theserver device 3 manages data on sales data processing of commodities tobe sold in the store. For example, the server device 3 stores acommodity master in which a commodity code of each commodity to be soldin the store is associated with commodity information such as acommodity name and a price of a commodity corresponding to the commoditycode. Then, the server device 3 distributes or provides in a referablemanner, the commodity master to each sales data processing device 4 andthe portable terminal 2. The server device 3 may store masking rangesetting information 4042 described later, and distribute or provide in areferable manner, the masking range setting information 4042 to eachsales data processing device 4.

When the commodity code is read by the portable terminal 2, the serverdevice 3 executes processing of storing the commodity code transmittedfrom the portable terminal 2 in association with the transaction numberfor identifying the transaction. The transaction number may be issued bythe server device 3 for each portable terminal 2, or may be a terminalidentifier such as a terminal ID or an IP address transmitted from theportable terminal 2. In the former case, for example, the server device3 transmits, to the portable terminal 2, the transaction number issuedfor the portable terminal 2 as a transmission source when a firstcommodity is registered.

The sales data processing device 4 is an example of a settlement device.The sales data processing device 4 is, for example, a POS terminal andis provided in the store. The sales data processing device 4 executesprocessing of registering a commodity purchased by the customer(hereinafter also referred to as commodity registration) and settlementprocessing for the registered commodity.

The sales data processing device 4 is operated by a store clerk of thestore in the embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be aself-service-type device in which commodity registration and settlementprocessing are executed by an own operation of the customer. The salesdata processing device 4 may be a semi-self-service-type deviceincluding a registration device that executes commodity registrationaccording to an operation of the store clerk and a settlement devicethat executes, according to an operation of the customer, settlementprocessing for a commodity registered by the registration device. Whenthe commodity registration is executed using the portable terminal 2,the sales data processing device 4 may mainly execute the settlementprocessing. Further, the sales data processing device 4 may be asettlement device without any configuration or function related tocommodity registration.

Next, a configuration of the sales data processing device 4 describedabove will be described. First, a hardware configuration of the salesdata processing device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 .FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration ofthe sales data processing device 4.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the sales data processing device 4 includes acentral processing unit (CPU) 401, a read only memory (ROM) 402, and arandom access memory (RAM) 403.

The CPU 401 is an example of a processor and integrally controls acts ofthe sales data processing device 4. The ROM 402 stores various programs.The RAM 403 is a workspace for loading programs and various types ofdata. The CPU 401, the ROM 402, and the RAM 403 are connected via a busor the like, and constitute a control unit 40 having a computerconfiguration. In the control unit 40, the CPU 401 acts according to acontrol program 4041 stored in the ROM 402 or a storage unit 404 andloaded in the RAM 403, thereby executing various types of processing.

The CPU 401 is connected to the storage unit 404 via a bus or the like.The storage unit 404 includes a hard disk driven (HDD), a flash memory,or the like, and maintains stored contents even when power is turnedoff. The storage unit 404 stores, for example, the control program 4041.The control program 4041 is a control program for controlling the actsof the sales data processing device 4. The control unit 40 (CPU 401)cooperates with the control program 4041 to implement functional unitsdescribed later.

The storage unit 404 stores the masking range setting information 4042.The masking range setting information 4042 is a setting file thatdefines an unidentifiable range of digits among a plurality of digitsconstituting an identification number related to electronic settlement.Here, “unidentifiable” means a state in which the identification numbercannot be visually recognized when the identification number is output.The unidentifiable range of digits is output in an unidentifiable stateby executing masking processing of masking with another symbol such as“X” or blanking processing of setting a numerical value of the digit asa blank character by an output control unit 43 described later.Hereinafter, processing of outputting in the unidentifiable state isalso collectively referred to as “masking” or “mask processing”.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of themasking range setting information 4042. As shown in FIG. 3 , the maskingrange setting information 4042 stores a range of the number of digits(hereinafter also referred to as a masking range) to be masked for eachtype of medium to be output.

The type of medium refers to, for example, a type of the medium to beoutput according to the use or purpose thereof. FIG. 3 shows an examplein which “receipt”, “member store copy”, “tenant copy”, “card companycopy”, and “journal” are listed as medium types. Here, the “receipt” isa medium output for the customer. The “member store copy” is a medium tobe submitted to a company or an electronic settlement operating companyaffiliated with stores. The “tenant copy” is a medium to be submitted toa facility such as a department store or a shopping center where thestore is located. The “card company copy” is a medium to be submitted toan electronic settlement trader such as a credit card company. The“journal” is a medium for recording an operation history and an actinghistory of the sales data processing device 4. An output form of themedium is not limited to paper output, and may be electronic outputincluding display and transmission.

The masking range is defined by, for example, a set of a masked digitposition and the number of masked digits. Here, the masked digitposition refers to a digit at which the mask processing is started. Thenumber of masked digits refers to the number of digits to be masked. Forexample, when the masked digit position is “1” and the number of maskeddigits is “12”, it means that the 1st to 12th digits are to be masked.When the masked digit position of is “14” and the number of maskeddigits is “3”, it means that the 14th to 16th digits are to be masked.In addition, “−” in the masked digit position and the number of maskeddigits shown in FIG. 3 means that no masking range is designated, andall digits are to be output without being masked in this case.

The masking range can be set as desired, but is preferably adjustedaccording to the medium type. For example, compared to other media, thereceipt output for the customer is more likely to be viewed by a thirdparty other than a party concerned. Therefore, the masking range set onthe receipt is preferably wider than other media from a viewpoint ofsecurity.

The identification number includes a sequence of 16 digits with aleftmost digit position being “1” and a rightmost digit position being“16” in the embodiment, but is not limited to this definition. A methodof defining the masking range is not limited to the example in FIG. 3 .For example, the masking range may be discretely set within the sameidentification number by setting a plurality of sets of the number ofmasked digits and the masked digit position.

When a commodity is paid for by electronic settlement, the sales dataprocessing device 4 outputs information on a transaction including anidentification number related to the electronic settlement to eachmedium. The sales data processing device 4 outputs the maskedidentification number to each medium based on a masking range for eachmedium type set in the masking range setting information 4042.

The sales data processing device 4 stores the masking range settinginformation 4042 locally (in the storage unit 404) in the embodiment,but is not limited thereto, and another device may store the maskingrange setting information 4042. For example, the sales data processingdevice 4 may refer to the masking range setting information 4042 storedin the server device 3. The sales data processing device 4 may locallystore the commodity master described above.

A communication unit 405, a display unit 406, an operation unit 407, ascanner unit 408, a depositing and dispensing unit 409, an electronicsettlement information reading unit 410, a printer 411, and the like areconnected to the control unit 40 via a bus or the like.

The communication unit 405 is a communication interface connectable tothe network N. The communication unit 405 communicates with an externaldevice such as the server device 3 via the network N. When a price of acommodity is paid by electronic settlement, the communication unit 405cooperates with the control unit 40 to transmit an identification numberor the like to an external server (not shown) that provides anelectronic settlement service, thereby establishing communicationrelated to the electronic settlement with the external server.

The display unit 406 is a display device such as a liquid crystaldisplay. The display unit 406 displays various screens under the controlof the control unit 40. For example, the display unit 406 displays anoperation screen for supporting a registration operation or a settlementoperation for a commodity, and a masking range setting screen describedlater (see FIG. 8 ). The display unit 406 may include a touch panel.

The operation unit 407 includes various operation keys and pointingdevices, and receives an operation from an operator. For example, theoperation unit 407 includes a start key for instructing a start of anregistration operation, number keys for inputting a commodity code, thenumber of commodities and the like, a subtotal key (also referred to asa total key, a closing key and the like) for instructing an end of theregistration operation, and a confirmation key for confirming an amountpaid by the customer. The operation unit 407 may be a touch panelprovided on a display surface of the display unit 406.

The scanner unit 408 is a reading device capable of reading a codesymbol such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code. For example, thescanner unit 408 reads a commodity code from a code symbol attached to acommodity and outputs the read commodity code to the CPU 401. Forexample, the scanner unit 408 reads information such as anidentification number related to code settlement from a code symbol usedfor the code settlement and outputs the read information to the CPU 401.

The depositing and dispensing unit 409 receives cash (banknotes orcoins) inserted into a money slot (not shown), and sorts the cash bydenomination and stores the cash. The depositing and dispensing unit 409dispenses change from a dispensing port (not shown) under the control ofthe control unit 40.

The electronic settlement information reading unit 410 is a readingdevice that reads information on electronic settlement from a devicesuch as a card medium or a smartphone. The electronic settlementinformation reading unit 410 is, for example, an NFC reader that readsinformation from an IC card or a smartphone terminal having an NFCfunction, or a magnetic card reader that reads information from amagnetic card. The electronic settlement information reading unit 410reads information on electronic settlement such as an identificationnumber from a card medium, a smartphone terminal, or the like, andoutputs the read information to the CPU 401.

The printer 411 is a printing device such as a thermal printer. Underthe control of the control unit 40, the printer 411 prints out a mediumsuch as a receipt showing information based on a transaction such asdetails of the transaction when settlement processing is completed.

Next, a functional configuration of the sales data processing device 4will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a diagram showingan example of the functional configuration of the sales data processingdevice 4.

The sales data processing device 4 includes a commodity registrationunit 41, a settlement processing unit 42, an output control unit 43, anda masking range setting unit 44 as the functional configuration.Specifically, the control unit 40 (CPU 401) of the sales data processingdevice 4 implements the functional configuration described above byexecuting the control program 4041 stored in the storage unit 404. Thefunctional configuration described above is a software configurationimplemented by cooperation between the processor and the program of thesales data processing device 4 in the embodiment, but is not limitedthereto, and may be a hardware configuration in which a part or all ofthe functional configuration is implemented by a dedicated circuit orthe like.

The commodity registration unit 41 executes registration processing fora commodity purchased by the customer. The commodity registration unit41 cooperates with the scanner unit 408 to execute the registrationprocessing for the commodity purchased by the customer based on acommodity code read from the commodity by the scanner unit 408.

Specifically, when a commodity code is read from a commodity by thescanner unit 408, the commodity registration unit 41 acquires commodityinformation corresponding to the commodity code from the commoditymaster. Next, the commodity registration unit 41 stores (registers) theacquired commodity code in the RAM 403 or the like in association withthe commodity information corresponding to the commodity code. Then, thecommodity registration unit 41 stores the commodity code for onetransaction by executing registration processing each time the commoditycode is read.

When a transaction number is read from the portable terminal 2 of thecustomer by the scanner unit 408, the commodity registration unit 41acquires a commodity code associated with the transaction number fromthe server device 3 by inquiring of the server device 3 about thetransaction number. Next, the commodity registration unit 41 stores thecommodity code for one transaction in the RAM 403 or the like byassociating the acquired commodity code with commodity information orthe like corresponding to the commodity code.

When the transaction number is read from the portable terminal 2,registration processing by the commodity registration unit 41 may beskipped. In this case, the settlement processing unit 42 may execute thesettlement processing based on the commodity code acquired from theserver device 3. The commodity code may be acquired from the serverdevice 3 by the commodity registration unit 41 or the settlementprocessing unit 42. A dedicated functional unit that acquires acommodity code for one transaction from the server device 3 may beprovided.

The settlement processing unit 42 is an example of a reception unit anda settlement unit. The settlement processing unit 42 executes settlementprocessing for a registered commodity. Specifically, based on acommodity code and commodity information on the commodity registered inone transaction, the settlement processing unit 42 calculates a totalamount of the commodity. Here, the total amount can be calculated byadding, for all commodities, an amount obtained by multiplying a priceof the commodity corresponding to the commodity code by a quantity ofthe commodity.

The price of the commodity corresponding to the commodity code may beidentified with reference to the commodity master stored in the serverdevice 3, or may be identified with reference to the commodity masterwhen the commodity master is locally stored.

The settlement processing unit 42 executes the settlement processing ofsettling the calculated total amount by a payment method instructed bythe customer. The payment method can instruct various types ofelectronic settlement in addition to cash. The settlement processingunit 42 may prompt the customer to select the payment method bydisplaying a screen for selecting the payment method on the display unit406 during the settlement processing.

When cash is instructed as the payment method, the settlement processingunit 42 cooperates with the depositing and dispensing unit 409 toexecute the settlement processing of settling the price of the commoditywith the inserted cash. When electronic settlement is instructed as thepayment method, the settlement processing unit 42 cooperates with thescanner unit 408 or the electronic settlement information reading unit410 to acquire information on the electronic settlement. Then, thesettlement processing unit 42 accesses an external server that providesan electronic settlement service and cooperates with the external serverto execute the settlement processing (electronic settlement) of settlingthe price of the commodity through electronic data exchange.

Here, the settlement processing unit 42 receives input of anidentification number related to the electronic settlement in a processof acquiring information on the electronic settlement or in a process ofexchanging electronic data with the external server. In other words, thesettlement processing unit 42 acquires the identification number relatedto the electronic settlement in the process of acquiring the informationon the electronic settlement or in the process of exchanging theelectronic data with the external server. An electronic settlementmethod is not particularly limited, and a known technique such as creditsettlement or electronic money settlement can be used.

The output control unit 43 is an example of an output unit. The outputcontrol unit 43 cooperates with the settlement processing unit 42 tocontrol output of information based on a transaction whose settlementprocessing is completed. Specifically, when the settlement processing bythe settlement processing unit 42 is completed, the output control unit43 controls the printer 411 and the like to output the information basedon the transaction such as details of the transaction (hereinafter alsoreferred to as transaction information) to each medium such as areceipt.

When a price of a commodity is paid by electronic settlement, the outputcontrol unit 43 outputs a masked identification number based on themasking range setting information 4042 together with the transactioninformation. Specifically, the output control unit 43 identifies, basedon the masking range setting information 4042, a masking range set for atype of a medium to be output. Then, the output control unit 43generates the identification number with the masking range masked foreach medium type, and outputs the identification number together withthe transaction information, thereby outputting media of a plurality oftypes.

For example, the output control unit 43 executes masking processing ofmasking a range of digits set in a masking range with another symbolsuch as “X” to generate an identification number whose masking range isunidentifiable. For example, the output control unit 43 executesblanking processing of setting a numerical value in a range of digitsset in a masking range as a blank character to generate anidentification number whose masking range is unidentifiable. Then, theoutput control unit 43 generates and outputs, for each type of medium tobe output, the identification number with the masking range maskedcorresponding to the type.

Here, output examples of media output by the output control unit 43 willbe described. The media printed out by the printer 411 will be describedbelow, but an output form of the media is not limited thereto. Forexample, the media may be output in a form of text data, structured datasuch as XML, image data, or electronic data such as an electronicreceipt.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams each schematically showing an example of amedium output by the output control unit 43. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagramshowing an example of a receipt output by the output control unit 43. Asshown in FIG. 5 , a receipt Ma includes, for example, a header area 51,a commodity registration area 52, a subtotal area 53, a settlementinformation area 54, and a footer area 55.

The header area 51 is an area for printing information such as a logomark of the store. The commodity registration area 52 is an area forprinting a commodity code, a commodity name, a quantity, a price, andthe like of a registered commodity. The subtotal area 53 is an area forprinting a total amount and a total quantity of the registeredcommodity. The settlement information area 54 is an area for printinginformation on settlement of the registered commodity. The footer area55 is an area for printing information such as a message. In FIG. 5 ,specific contents of the header area 51, the commodity registration area52, and the footer area 55 are not shown.

When a payment method is electronic settlement, for example, as shown inFIG. 5 , in the settlement information area 54, there is printedinformation such as a total amount and a total quantity of a registeredcommodity, a payment method (XX payment), information on the store thatis a member store (a member store, a telephone number), a slip number, aterminal number, a date of use, a membership number, an expiration date,an approval number, a handling content, a payment category, and apayment amount.

The slip number is a transaction number for identifying the transaction.The terminal number is information for identifying the sales dataprocessing device 4 that executes the electronic settlement. The date ofuse is information showing the date and time when the electronicsettlement is executed. The membership number is a user ID foridentifying the customer agreed upon between an electronic settlementtrader and the customer, and is an example of an identification numberrelated to the electronic settlement. The expiration date is informationshowing an expiration date of the membership number. The approval numberis a number issued when the electronic settlement is approved throughauthorization by the electronic settlement trader. The handling contentshows a handling content of the transaction. The payment category showsa payment method for a price. The payment amount shows a payment amountby the electronic settlement.

Here, when attention is paid to the membership number, which is theexample of the identification number, a part of the membership number ismasked with “X” marks. Specifically, the output control unit 43 executesmasking processing on the 1st to 12th digits of the membership numberbased on a masking range for a medium type “receipt” set in the maskingrange setting information 4042 (see FIG. 3 ) and outputs the maskedmembership number.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a member store copy output bythe output control unit 43. As shown in FIG. 6 , a member store copy Mbincludes the header area 51, the commodity registration area 52, thesubtotal area 53, the settlement information area 54, and the footerarea similarly to the receipt. For example, the member store copy Mb maynot include the header area 51 and the footer area 55, or may includeinformation different from other media.

Here, when attention is paid to a membership number in the settlementinformation area 54, a part of the membership number is masked with “X”marks. Specifically, the output control unit 43 executes maskingprocessing on the 14th to 16th digits of the membership number based ona masking range of a medium type “member store copy” set in the maskingrange setting information 4042 (see FIG. 3 ) and outputs the maskedmembership number.

Based on the setting of the masking range setting information 4042 shownin FIG. 3 , a membership number for a medium “tenant copy” is outputwith the same range masked as in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a journal output by the outputcontrol unit 43. As shown in FIG. 7 , a journal Mc includes the headerarea 51, the commodity registration area 52, the subtotal area 53, thesettlement information area 54, and the footer area 55, similarly to thereceipt. For example, the journal Mc may not include the header area 51and the footer area 55, or may include information different from othermedia.

Here, when attention is paid to a membership number in the settlementinformation area 54, all digits of the membership number are output inan identifiable state. Specifically, the output control unit 43 outputsall digits of the membership number without executing masking processingbased on a masking range of a medium type “journal” set in the maskingrange setting information 4042 (see FIG. 3 ).

Based on the setting of the masking range setting information 4042 shownin FIG. 3 , a membership number for a medium “card company copy” isoutput with all digits identifiable as in FIG. 7 .

In this way, the output control unit 43 executes masking processingaccording to a type of a medium to be output on a membership numberbased on a masking range set for each medium type and outputs the maskedmembership number. Accordingly, the output control unit 43 can change adegree of anonymization of the identification number related to theelectronic settlement for each medium to be output, and output theidentification number.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the masking range setting unit 44 is anexample of a setting unit. The masking range setting unit 44 generatesand edits the masking range setting information 4042. Specifically, themasking range setting unit 44 supports a setting operation of a maskingrange by providing the user with a screen (hereinafter also referred toas a setting screen) on which the masking range can be set for eachmedium type.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen provided bythe masking range setting unit 44. As shown in FIG. 8 , a setting screenGa includes input areas 61 and 62 where a masking range can be set foreach medium type.

Here, the input area 61 is an area for inputting a masked digitposition. The input area 62 is an area for inputting the number ofmasked digits. The user who operates the setting screen Ga can input themasked digit position and the number of masked digits for each mediumvia the input area 61 and the input area 62. When receiving an inputcompletion instruction by a user operation, the masking range settingunit 44 generates (or updates) the masking range setting information4042 by setting values input to the input area 61 and the input area 62as a masking range and associating the masking range with a type of thecorresponding medium. Then, the masking range setting unit 44 stores thegenerated masking range setting information 4042 in the storage unit404. Accordingly, the output control unit 43 can execute mask processingaccording to the medium type on an identification number based on themasking range set in the masking range setting information 4042.

The setting screen provided by the masking range setting unit 44 is notlimited to the setting screen Ga in FIG. 8 . For example, the maskingrange setting unit 44 may provide a setting screen on which addition,deletion, and editing of the medium type can be performed.

In order to share the generated masking range setting information 4042with another sales data processing device 4, the masking range settingunit 44 may transmit the masking range setting information 4042 to theother sales data processing device 4 or the server device 3 every timethe masking range setting information 4042 is generated or updated. Inorder to reflect the masking range setting information 4042 generated bythe other sales data processing device 4 in the own sales dataprocessing device 4, the masking range setting unit 44 may acquire themasking range setting information 4042 transmitted from the other salesdata processing device 4 or the server device 3 and store the maskingrange setting information 4042 in the storage unit 404.

Hereinafter, processing related to output of various media will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing anexample of processing related to output of a medium executed by thesales data processing device 4. Here, the flowchart in FIG. 9 shows theexample of the processing executed when settlement is completed. As apremise of this processing, it is assumed that settlement processing forone transaction is completed by electronic settlement or a paymentmethod other than the electronic settlement such as cash under thecontrol of the settlement processing unit 42 (ACT 11).

First, the output control unit 43 determines whether electronicsettlement is used as a payment method (ACT 12). When a payment methodother than electronic settlement is used (ACT 12; No), the outputcontrol unit 43 outputs each medium showing transaction information (ACT13), and ends this processing.

Here, when the payment method other than the electronic settlement isused, since a membership number related to the electronic settlementdoes not appear, the output control unit 43 outputs a medium withoutreferring to the masking range setting information 4042. In this case, atype of medium to be output may be different from that in the electronicsettlement. For example, when the payment method is cash or the like,the output control unit 43 may output a receipt and a journal.

When it is determined that the electronic settlement is used at ACT 12(ACT 12; Yes), the output control unit 43 refers to the masking rangesetting information 4042 and reads a masking range set for each mediumtype (ACT 14).

Subsequently, the output control unit 43 generates, for each mediumtype, a masked identification number related to the electronicsettlement, based on the masking range of each medium (ACT 15). Then,the output control unit 43 outputs the generated masked identificationnumber together with transaction information to each medium (ACT 16),and ends this processing.

As described above, the sales data processing device 4 according to theembodiment receives input of an identification number related toelectronic settlement and executes settlement processing for atransaction using the electronic settlement. When the settlementprocessing is completed, the sales data processing device 4 generates,based on the masking range setting information 4042 in which anunidentifiable masking range is set for each type of medium to beoutput, the identification number having the masking range masked foreach type of medium. Then, the sales data processing device 4 outputsthe generated identification number together with information based onthe transaction.

In this way, the sales data processing device 4 outputs theidentification number having a masked unidentifiable range of digits foreach type of medium to be output together with the transactioninformation. Therefore, the sales data processing device 4 can change adegree of anonymization of the identification number related to theelectronic settlement according to the medium to be output. Accordingly,the sales data processing device 4 can output the identification numberwith the degree of anonymization suitable for each medium, for example,even when the degree of anonymization differs due to a difference inuse, purpose, or the like of the medium to be output. Therefore,security related to the electronic settlement can be improved.

The embodiment described above can be appropriately modified andimplemented by changing a part of configurations or functions of thedevices described above. Hereinafter, modifications related to theembodiment described above will be described as other embodiments. Inthe following description, differences from the embodiment describedabove will be mainly described, and the detailed description of pointscommon to the already described contents will be omitted. Further, themodifications described below may be implemented individually or incombination as appropriate.

First Modification

The sales data processing device 4 includes the masking range settingunit 44 in the embodiment described above, but the embodiment is notlimited thereto, and a device other than the sales data processingdevice 4 may include the masking range setting unit 44. For example, theserver device 3 may include the masking range setting unit 44.

In this case, each sales data processing device 4 acquires or refers tomasking range setting information generated by the masking range settingunit 44 of the server device 3, and executes mask processing on anidentification number, thereby achieving the same effect as that of theembodiment described above.

Second Modification

A form in which common masking range setting information is usedregardless of a type of electronic settlement is described in theembodiment described above, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.For example, by preparing masking range setting information for eachtype of electronic settlement, the masking range setting information tobe used for each type of electronic settlement may be used separately.

In this case, the masking range setting information 4042 of the storageunit 404 stores masking range setting information generated for a typeof electronic settlement in association with type information showingthe type. For each piece of the masking range setting information storedin the masking range setting information 4042, it is preferable tocustomize a type of medium to be output and a masking range accordingto, for example, characteristics of electronic settlement andcharacteristics of an electronic settlement trader.

In this case, the output control unit 43 switches the masking rangesetting information to be used according to the type of electronicsettlement used in settlement processing, and executes mask processingon the identification number based on the masking range set in themasking range setting information.

Accordingly, the sales data processing device 4 according to themodification can anonymize the identification number by setting themasking range according to the medium type and the type of electronicsettlement, thereby further improving convenience.

In the embodiments described above, the control program executed by eachdevice may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readablerecording medium such as a CD-ROM. The control program executed by eachdevice may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as theInternet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or may beprovided via a network such as the Internet.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosure. The embodiments described above can beimplemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements,changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the spiritof the disclosure. These embodiments and modifications thereof areincluded in the scope and spirit of the disclosure and are also includedin the disclosure described in the scope of claims and an equivalentscope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A settlement device, comprising: a receptioncomponent configured to receive input of an identification numberrelated to electronic settlement; a settlement component configured toexecute settlement processing for a transaction using the electronicsettlement; and an output component configured to generate, uponcompletion of the settlement processing, based on setting information inwhich an unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number isset for each type of medium to be output, the identification numberhaving the unidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium,and to output the generated identification number together withinformation based on the transaction.
 2. The settlement device accordingto claim 1, wherein the output component makes the range of digits setin the setting information unidentifiable by masking the range ofdigits.
 3. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein theoutput component makes the range of digits set in the settinginformation unidentifiable by setting a numerical value in the range ofdigits as a blank character.
 4. The settlement device according to claim1, further comprising: a setting component configured to generate thesetting information in which the unidentifiable range of digits of theidentification number is set for each type of the medium.
 5. Thesettlement device according to claim 4, wherein the setting componentdisplays, on a display component, an operation screen configured toallow input of the unidentifiable range of digits of the identificationnumber for each type of the medium, and generates the settinginformation based on the input range of digits for each type of themedium.
 6. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein thereception component receives the input wirelessly.
 7. The settlementdevice according to claim 1, wherein the reception component receivesthe input via a barcode.
 8. A settlement method, comprising: receivinginput of an identification number related to electronic settlement;executing settlement processing for a transaction using the electronicsettlement; and generating, upon completion of the settlementprocessing, based on setting information in which an unidentifiablerange of digits of the identification number is set for each type ofmedium to be output, the identification number having the unidentifiablerange of digits for each type of the medium, and outputting thegenerated identification number together with information based on thetransaction.
 9. The settlement method according to claim 8, furthercomprising: setting the range of digits set in the setting informationunidentifiable by masking the range of digits.
 10. The settlement methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising: setting the range of digitsset in the setting information unidentifiable by setting a numericalvalue in the range of digits as a blank character.
 11. The settlementmethod according to claim 8, further comprising: generating the settinginformation in which the unidentifiable range of digits of theidentification number is set for each type of the medium.
 12. Thesettlement method according to claim 11, further comprising: displayingan operation screen configured to allow input of the unidentifiablerange of digits of the identification number for each type of themedium, and generating the setting information based on the input rangeof digits for each type of the medium.
 13. The settlement methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising: receiving the inputwirelessly.
 14. A POS terminal, comprising: a commodity registrationdevice; and a settlement device, comprising: a reception componentconfigured to receive input of an identification number related toelectronic settlement; a settlement component configured to executesettlement processing for a transaction using the electronic settlement;and an output component configured to generate, upon completion of thesettlement processing, based on setting information in which anunidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set foreach type of medium to be output, the identification number having theunidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium, and tooutput the generated identification number together with informationbased on the transaction.
 15. The POS terminal according to claim 14,wherein the output component makes the range of digits set in thesetting information unidentifiable by masking the range of digits. 16.The POS terminal according to claim 14, wherein the output componentmakes the range of digits set in the setting information unidentifiableby setting a numerical value in the range of digits as a blankcharacter.
 17. The POS terminal according to claim 14, furthercomprising: a setting component configured to generate the settinginformation in which the unidentifiable range of digits of theidentification number is set for each type of the medium.
 18. The POSterminal according to claim 17, wherein the setting component displays,on a display component, an operation screen configured to allow input ofthe unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number for eachtype of the medium, and generates the setting information based on theinput range of digits for each type of the medium.
 19. The POS terminalaccording to claim 14, wherein the reception component receives theinput wirelessly.
 20. The POS terminal according to claim 14, whereinthe POS terminal is a self-service POS terminal.